Did You See It?
So did you see it? Did you go see Evan Almighty? I did and I thought it was so funny! Plus, you know what else? I thought it quite accurately depicted God's opinion towards people. It showed God in a way that we are discovering Him to be.
Like when God starts laughing at Evan when he is explaining his plans, he's gotta start this new career, get settled into his new house, etc before he can do what God is asking him to do. God laughs and says, "your plans?"
When the two are talking God says, "everything I do, I do it because I love you."
I LOVED the explanation God gives the wife about prayer. He says something like, "when people ask for patience, they don't just wake up one morning with more patience, they are given opportunities to be patient. When someone asks for their family to be closer, they don't just get warm fuzzies, they get opportunities to grow closer together" OH, I loved it!
Later, someone asks Evan why God chose him. Evan responds by saying something like, "he chose all of us." I almost laid myself out on the floor right there in the movie theater. But I didn't want to get pepsi in my hair so I didn't. God did choose everyone one of us, and it feels so good to be chosen. Or, as my 3 yr. old says, "oh it feels so right children." Ok, I don't think anyone outside of the Bane family will laugh at that one but, that's good enough for me...
Finally, at one point, God tells Evan that small acts of random kindness done everyday can change the world. Basically, that sums up Servant Evangelism. There is a phrase carved on the outside of the building of the church that we attended in Cincinnati (the one founded by the lead pastor of our Tampa church) that said, "small things done with great love will change the world." Talk about cool!!
There was absolutely nothing bad in it. It's totally safe for children. The only things even close to bad words are a "what the..." and a "son of a ..." I was sitting next to a 5 year old during the movie (not MY 5 year old thank you very much) and she enjoyed it too.
I have heard that some Christians criticize this movie for watering down the gospel. First of all, ITS A MOVIE! It's made by nonchristians. It's not supposed to have people asking "what must I do to be saved?" It's supposed to be entertainment. It isn't anti scripture and it doesn't go against anything in the bible. Second, even the Bible says, "it's the Love of God that brings people to repentance." It does not say that shoving King James scripture verses down their throat (that they don't understand in the first place) is what makes people follow Jesus. Let's not take ourselves so seriously. Go see it, I promise you will LOL tons of times and leave feeling good great. Oh yes, and you can here C&C music factory's "Everybody Dance Now" at the end. That in itself is TONS of fun!
Sheryl Bane
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Reader Comments (12)
I think it is wonderful and poo poo on the people that think it is watered down! Sheesh- if it gets people to even have a discussion or sting their heart... you know! I was watching the View the other day and a co-host was on that was kinda shoving the Word at the regular women on there and it totally was not going over well. I am believing that this movie, whether it be mainstream or not, will touch hearts and change lives.
How exciting your hubby is a part of that! How exciting that WE ALL as His children are part of this, too.
Steph
I totally agree with you that we (=Christians) should not take ourselves too seriously. Not that our believe or His message is not important. But I as a matter of fact cannot relate to other Christians that can only preach and lecture whenever they open their mouth, that cannot connect with non-Christians anymore, that believe they should guard that our belief might be "watered down", etc....If we take on a very defensive attitude, we'll never bridge towards non-Christians and isn't that was we should try to do as well?
Many greetings
Ellen
My 11 year old and 8 year old were with me, and we ran into another family from church whose 5 year old was with them. Everyone, no matter how old, enjoyed it and laughed. The best thing...at the end of the movie, people applauded! I can't remember the last time I've been at a movie where that happened.
All I can say is that all the critics who say it was watered down probably aren't in the running to have Go-4-Wood dropped off in their driveway anytime soon!!! But they better watch out for the birds coming 2 by 2 - you never know what they'll drop on ya!
Mike
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Loving your blog by the way, glad I found you!!!